Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Deliver Occupational Therapy services in the educational setting on behalf of students who are limited by physical impairments or illness, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, socioeconomic and cultural differences in order to achieve optimum functional performance, maximize independence, prevent disability, and maintain health; to include evaluation, treatment, environmental modification, consultation, training and program monitoring.

Essential duties and responsibilities generally include the following:

• Use standardized measures and clinical observation skills for evaluation of students to assist teams in the identification of students with potential educational disabilities.
• Write reports to describe assessment data
• Attend regularly scheduled planning meetings for students, teams and schools; Maintain documentation in a timely manner including therapy notes, IEP paperwork, evaluation reports, and Medicaid billing.
• Communicate regularly with team members and parents, working collaboratively to develop and implement effective and appropriate educational plans.
• Utilize current evidenced based practice and maintain effective progress monitoring methods
• Supervise a COTA
• Monitor the implementation of educational relevant programs to enhance performance or maintain health by Health Aides or other instructional staff.
• Conduct ergonomic workplace assessments following established district protocols for district employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required

Knowledge and skills:

• Knowledge of disabling conditions that occur before and after birth and their effects on students with special needs related to educational performance.
• Knowledge of the educational system and its critical components including federal and state regulations and ethical/legal responsibilities applying to occupational therapists in the educational setting.
• Knowledge of major theories, treatment procedures and research relevant to providing occupational therapy services for children (age 3-22) with disabilities.
• Ability to assess the functional performance of students with disabilities within the school environment.
• Ability to interpret assessment results appropriately and use the results to develop therapeutic intervention plans and classroom strategies appropriate to the educational setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) with educational personnel, parents, local and state agencies, and the community at large.
• Ability to engage in consensus decision-making as part of the IEP process in order to develop appropriate IEP goals and objectives.
• Ability to plan and implement intervention strategies using a continuum of service delivery approaches in accordance with student needs in the least restrictive environment.
• Ability to evaluate, modify, and document the effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention as it relates to the student's education program
• Ability to facilitate transition among agencies, programs, and professionals as service provision changes (early intervention to preschool, preschool to school age, and school to work).
• Evidence of continuing educational efforts to enhance skills, expertise, and professional knowledge as it relates to job performance.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, state, county and city statutes, rules, policies and procedures
• Knowledge of applicable Peoria Unified School District and departmental policies and procedures
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with co-workers, vendors, students, parents, the general public and others having business with the school district.
• Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications

Minimum qualifications:

• Must have graduated from an accredited university with a degree in Occupational Therapy and hold a current license from the Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.

Other requirements:

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint and background clearance check.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an Arizona driver's license.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain IVP fingerprint clearance card.
• May be required to lift and carry heavy, bulky supplies and materials weighing up to 20 pounds
• May be required to lift students weighing up to 60 pounds
• May be required to work outside normal working hours
• May be required to travel to perform work functions

Peoria Unified School District